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Eight Cool New uTorrent Features Coming Soon

In May this year the BitTorrent Inc. added a section to their site which enabled the community to vote for new features they would like to see included in uTorrent. Voting has been furious and dozens of new tweaks and additions have been made. Here’s the next eight major additions uTorrent users can look forward to.

uTorrent is one of the most widely used pieces of BitTorrent software and is the client of choice for more than 50 million users worldwide.

In May, BitTorrent Inc. introduced its Idea Bank section, which allows uTorrent users to submit and vote for features, tweaks and ideas they would like to see implemented in their favorite client.

Since its introduction hundreds of suggestions have been submitted to the Idea Bank and these have been voted on by thousands of users. Already nearly 60 proposals have been accepted and implemented by the team and many more are pending. Below is an explanation of the Top 8 most voted-for-and-accepted additions coming to a uTorrent client near you soon.

1. uTorrent for Linux

As reported in June, uTorrent for Linux is finally on the way. With more than 5300 votes, this is the most popular suggestion received thus far.

“We’re making good progress on the Linux client,” reports site admin Firon. “Sit tight and we’ll have a client out soon enough.”

2. More detailed priorities for multiple files in torrent downloads

For torrents that contain multiple files, such as one for a music album with 10 tracks, at the moment it’s possible to force uTorrent to prioritize the download of those tracks, albeit primitively. Currently there are just three settings – low, medium and high.

“We’ll either add up to 16 priorities or have a per-torrent option to auto-prioritize the files in order,” explains Firon. “Though not the pieces, so we’ll still do rarest first.”

3. Send an email when a download completes

With increasing bandwidth and users increasing their set up knowledge, BitTorrent downloads are completing faster than ever before. However, with increased speeds comes an increased appetite for higher quality and therefore larger downloads, xvid versus DVD-size videos for example. Inevitably this means that users will be away from their machines when certain downloads complete. With email notifications, completion will be reported immediately.

“The current plan to implement this is to simply have a generalized, global option to auto-run an app after the torrent completes,” says Firon. “We’ll add a few variables to the existing run after function and make it global, so you can script it to your heart’s content.”

4. Only share files while the computer is idle

While some users will be sharing files all the time, many will want to use their full bandwidth for other duties while they’re sat at their desk. Inevitably full-scale BitTorrent up and downloading will affect performance unless the client is carefully configured. This solution will mean that only when a user is finished his work will file-sharing kick in. Firon reports that the feature will likely include a configurable idle period.

5. Scan for viruses when a download completes

Although there is less chance of picking up a virus when using uTorrent combined with a reputable torrent indexing site than other protocols, no method of file-sharing is immune to these threats. An automatic virus check will ensure that nothing slips through the net.

“The current plan to implement this is to simply have a generalized, global option to auto-run an app after the torrent completes,” says Firon. “We’ll add a few variables to the existing run after function and make it global, so you can script it to your heart’s content.”

6. Password lock uTorrent

Anyone with a shared computer or one within reach of an inquisitive child will be familiar with the fear associated with potential download interference. With the use of a password, torrent transfers can continue unabated and in privacy, no matter who is at the machine.

“This will be integrated with the boss key functionality, so you can use the boss key to ‘lock’ µTorrent,” explains Firon. “When you press it again, it will ask you for a password.”

7. Move torrent files and data with one click

Anyone who has needed to move their downloaded .torrent files and the associated data to a new place on their computer will know what a drawn out manual procedure it can become when lots of files are involved.

“Yes, managing files kinda sucks in µTorrent right now,” admits Firon. “We’ll try to get this done for 2.2 as well to make it easier. Set download location will probably be renamed and will move the content for you, all in one step. Oh, and we’ll make ‘Relocate’ on the Files tab work the same way.”

8. UNRAR and move files support

Anyone downloading large files split into multiple .RARs will be familiar with the associated unpacking, deleting and moving procedures. This new feature will allow those who don’t want this manual distraction to streamline the process.

“The current plan to implement this is to simply have a generalized, global option to auto-run an app after the torrent completes,” says Firon. “We’ll add a few variables to the existing run after function and make it global, so you can script it to your heart’s content.”

9. uTorrent will become Open Source!!

BitTorrent Inc. are certainly listening to their users and the Idea Bank is a great idea in itself, but don’t expect every suggestion to be implemented. Especially this one….